Advances in primary health care are crucial to prevent eye diseases that can lead to blindness if not detected and treated early. In this context, the ECSI project of the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) health program of Socios En Salud has implemented a component focused on training professionals responsible for the Eye Health Strategy of the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (DIRIS) Lima Norte and Lima Este.
This component is focused on strengthening the competencies of screening and diagnosis of eye health complications and other NCDs in health professionals, in order to identify eye acuity problems early. In addition, these personnel are trained to perform external eye examinations and timely refer patients in need to centers of greater complexity, where they can be given a specialized diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.
This training effort is especially relevant, given that many eye diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, may not present symptoms in their early stages, which delays treatment. By strengthening the competencies of health professionals in the identification of these complications at the primary level, the possibility of early detection and timely treatment is increased, which contributes to the reduction of preventable blindness in the population.
El curso de salud ocular del proyecto ECSI combina una fase virtual asincr贸nica de 10 unidades con un taller presencial de dos d铆as.
Foto de Julio L贸pez / SES
The beneficiaries of the training
As part of this component of the ECSI project, a Course on Eye Health and Prevention of Blindness has been designed, aimed at primary care health professionals. The course is developed in a bimodal modality, combining a virtual phase of 10 units, covering theoretical aspects for eye health assessment, with a two-day face-to-face workshop, in which techniques, such as determination of visual acuity and external eye examinations, are standardized.
This practical approach ensures that professionals not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also develop the necessary skills to apply this knowledge in daily practice. The objective is to train 85 health professionals, coming from 57 different health facilities. Of these, 63 belong to DIRIS Lima Norte and 22 to DIRIS Lima Este.
This ensures that the training coverage reaches a considerable number of health facilities, expanding the impact of the program and benefiting thousands of patients who will receive a more complete and specialized eye health care.
Personal de salud de distintos establecimientos de Lima Norte y Lima Este recibi贸 una capacitaci贸n en salud ocular como parte del proyecto ECSI, del programa de salud Enfermedades No Transmisibles y C谩ncer de Socios En Salud.
Foto de Julio L贸pez / SES
Strategic Alliances
The success of this training program is the result of inter-institutional collaboration between Socios En Salud and several key entities. The Eye Health Health Strategy of DIRIS Lima Norte has been a key ally in the coordination and logistics of the course. In addition, the National Institute of Ophthalmology (INO) has provided technical assistance, contributing its expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
Also, the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) has provided its academic sponsorship, ensuring that the course meets the highest standards of educational quality in the area of eye health.
The ECSI project reinforces Socios En Salud鈥檚 commitment to strengthening the health system in Peru, ensuring that more professionals are prepared to deal with eye health complications and other non-communicable diseases, thus improving the quality of life of the population.
